The city’s leading alcohol regulation board is getting tougher on businesses that do not check the identification of its customers before selling them alcohol.
Shops caught not checking an underage buyer’s I.D. could face a $2,000 fine and be at risk for a suspension of their liquor license under regulations being vetted by the D.C. Council, according to The Washington Examiner.
The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board – which oversees the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration – proposed the sanctions that are now waiting for approval from the D.C. Council.
Council member Jim Graham, who leads the committee that oversees liquor legislation, has not said whether or not he will support the board’s proposal, The Examiner reported.
Last year, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration conducted 937 alcohol compliance checks in the District where 89 businesses were caught selling alcohol to minors. According to The Examiner, the city saw a 5.5 percent uptick in business compliance from 2008 to 2011.